Outrage + Optimism

Latest Episodes:

111. New Systems and New Power with Dame Ellen MacArthur & Guest Co-Host Catherine Howarth Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

This week, The Circular Economy!

Currently our economy operates in a linear way. Take, Make, Dispose. It’s based on the industrial revolution, and we know this way of doing things has limits. Some of those limits we are reaching even today.

But there’s a different economy we could create. The Circular Economy.

This week we explore the ‘Circular Economy’ with #1 Circular Economy advocate, Dame Ellen MacArthur. This brand new economy is all about designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. It incentivizes manufacturers to create and maintain better products, stops the Global North from polluting the Global South, and has the potential to regenerate wildlife and ecosystems that are on the brink of collapsing.

And with Christiana and Tom out this week, we invite special guest co-host, Catherine Howarth, CEO of Share Action, to discuss what it will take to encourage regenerative economic practices? Are we at a tipping point right now? Is a green, equitable, regenerative global society finally close to our grasp?

And later on in the episode, join us for a soulful acoustic performance of “What Can I Do?” by Rachel Sermanni.

Thanks for joining us!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Mentioned links from the episode:

Universal Ownership by Ellen Quigley

Tax Pollution, Not People with Ex’Tax

Thank you to our guest this week, Dame Ellen Macarthur!

Dame Ellen MacArthur

Founder and Chair of Trustees | Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Twitter

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

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Our artist this week is Rachel Sermanni!

Live in Bristol or Sheffield? Go See Rachel LIVE

Check out her rad music video for “What Can I Do”

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Thank you to our Guest Co-host, Catherine Howarth!

Catherine Howarth

Chief Executive | ShareAction

Twitter | LinkedIn

ShareAction

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson:

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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110. Building Leaderful Movements with Katie Eder & Guest Co-host Alice Garton Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

In a week that has seen record temperatures occurring throughout the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada, a major hurricane that hit Barbados - the first in 60 years - and one of the warmest winters on record down south in New Zealand, this episode looks at the urgent call to action coming from the younger generation. Their call for transformational change applies not only to climate action, but in delivering meaningful social justice action and revaluating and redefining the very notion of leadership itself.

Our special guest this week is Katie Eder, Climate Organizer at Future Coalition. She eloquently describes for us the foundational goal of equity that is at the heart of the youth movement. and how she believes transformational change begins with ‘a leaderful movement’, and is the way to securing climate and social justice goals. Spoiler Alert: This is the secret to the success of the Paris Agreement.

Paul is joined this week by guest co-host, Alice Garton, Legal Director for the Foundation for International Law for the Environment. Alice talks through some climate optimism in regards to recent Australian judicial rulings, as well as an optimistic take on the recent Royal Dutch Shell ruling in the Netherlands.

And later on in the episode, join us for a great acoustic performance of “The Woman Who Planted Trees” by Emily Barker.

Thanks for joining us!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Click here to listen to our previous episode with Wanjira Mathai

Links mentioned in the episode:

Read: Reason, Rationality and Fiduciary Duty by Steve Lydenberg

Thank you to our guest this week, Katie Eder!

Katie Eder

Climate Organizer, Future Coalition

Instagram

Future Coalition

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Our artist this week is Emily Barker!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website

Check out her latest EP, “Machine”

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Thank you to our Guest Co-host, Alice Garton!

Alice Garton

Director Global Legal Strategy, FILE

Twitter | LinkedIn

FILE Foundation

Website

Facts and figures on climate litigation:

LSE Grantham Global Trends on on Climate Litigation 2021

Links for lawyers and law students looking to use the law to progress the climate transition:

Law Students for Climate Accountability

Net Zero Lawyers Alliance

The Chancery Lane Project

PILNET

A4ID

Links for citizens looking to participate in climate litigation:

Urgenda Global Climate Litigation

Holding Your Government’s Accountable for Climate Change

Climate Litigation Guide

Australian SHARMA case:

Equity Generation Lawyers

Fiduciary Duty:

Primer on Climate Change: Directors Duties

ACCR commentary on Shell Transition Plan

What citizens Can Do:

Wiki Page

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson:

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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109. The Race to Resilience! Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

The Race to Resilience is on!

This week has seen another extremely harsh wildfire season and searing temperatures in the global North, Tropical Storm Elsa ripped through the Caribbean, becoming the first hurricane to hit Barbados in 60 years, and way down in the south of the planet, New Zealand has its hottest winter.

It is absolutely vital that the Race to Zero (emissions) and an equally important set of measures for adaptation and resilience be undertaken - at the same time - to allow humanity to thrive in the near and distant future.

So what exactly is the Race to Resilience? Join Christiana, Tom and Paul as we explore the links between tackling climate change, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, ensuring ocean health and changing how we use land. Among a few other notable guests, we talk to two city leaders building resilience in two very different communities, addressing local challenges and bringing thousands of citizens together to tackle climate change.

This week you’ll hear from:

Elizabeth Mrema, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, COP 26 International Champion for Adaptation and Resilience, and UK Energy and Climate Change Minister

Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Pristine Seas

Mayor Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona

and

Mayor Mohammed Sowah, Mayor of Accra, Ghana

We are racing against time - and rather than allowing fear to paralyse us, let’s use this energy to fuel our spirit and determination. Hit play for your weekly dose of outrage - and stubborn optimism.

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

PBS Learning Media melted our hearts with a beautiful film The Age of Nature

Join the Race to Zero

Learn more about C40 cities

Click here to listen to the previous episodes of our The Race to Zero Series

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Thank you to our guests this week:

Elizabeth Mrema

UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Twitter

UN Biodiversity

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Anne-Marie Trevelyan

COP 26 International Champion for Adaptation and Resilience, and UK Energy and Climate Change Minister

Twitter

COP 26

Twitter

Enric Sala

National Geographic Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Pristine Seas

Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

NG Pristine SeasWebsite | Twitter | Instagram

Mayor Kate Gallego

Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Mayor Mohammed Sowah

Mayor of Accra, Ghana

Twitter

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn!

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

108. Climate, Fossil Fuels and the Future of Shell with Ben van Beurden Jul 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, something different. An exclusive interview with Shell CEO, Ben van Beurden.

In May 2021, the District Court in The Hague delivered its landmark ruling in the climate change case filed against Royal Dutch Shell (“Shell”). In her ruling on the case, Judge Larisa Alwin ordered Shell to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. The court found that Shell’s existing carbon mitigation strategy was “not concrete and is full of conditions ... that's not enough.” The court also ruled that Shell is responsible for emissions from its customers and suppliers, known as scope 3 emissions, and further that Shell’s activities constituted a threat to the “right to life” and “undisturbed family life,” as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.

So, what next? Pending an appeal to the case, how is Shell going to follow the court ruling to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030? We sit down with Ben van Beurden, CEO of Royal Dutch Shell Plc to discuss what the decisive decade looks like for oil and gas majors.

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Catch up on our Race To Zero Series so that you’re ready for next week’s episode!

Thank you to our guest this week, Ben van Beurden.

Ben van Beurden

Chief Executive Officer, Royal Dutch Shell Plc

Shell

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You can read Ben’s response to the Dutch Court Ruling here on LinkedIn.

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson!

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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BONUS: The Stubborn Optimist's Playlist Vol. 3 Jun 25, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to Volume 3 of The Stubborn Optimist’s Playlist!

Every week on the podcast we feature a musical artist who is thoughtful about the role of art and artists in the climate crisis and this week, we bring you a collection of those artists in playlist form as an extended listening experience.

Enjoy the music!

___

The Stubborn Optimist’s Playlist Vol. 3:

(1:28)

Aaron Frazer - Bad News

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

(5:17)

Alfred Nomad - Speaking

(6:10)

Alfred Nomad - Justice

Spotify | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

(8:50)

Mel Chante - Air

(11:56)

Asher Monroe - Speaking

(12:35)

Asher Monroe - Midnight Masquerade

Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website

(15:53)

Milky Chance - We Didn’t Make It To The Moon

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

(19:20)

Guster - Satellite

(23:52)

Marie Spaemann - Circles

Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube

(29:42)

Vivii - Speaking

(31:11)

Vivii - One Day

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

(35:03)

Eliza Shaddad - Blossom

Our musical guest this week is Eliza Shaddad!

(38:15)

Easy Wanderlings - Dream To Keep Us Going

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

—

Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

—

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

—

Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn!

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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107. Breaking Boundaries, Post Growth & The Future We Choose Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

This week, a live recording of our event “Breaking Boundaries, Post Growth & The Future We Choose” with special guests Johan Rockström and Tim Jackson.

A little bit about our guests:

Johan Rockström is the Director of Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research & Author of Breaking Boundaries, which is both a book and a powerful Netflix documentary.

Tim Jackson is the Director of The Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity at the University of Surrey and has recently issued his latest book, Post Growth.

Join us for a sobering, gripping, and stubbornly optimistic conversation about the most decisive decade in human history. How can we change the stories we tell ourselves, to engage, inspire and empower people toward climate action?

Hit play and listen in!

Book Links:

The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide To The Climate Crisis by Christiana Figueres & Tom Rivett-Carnac

Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet by Johan Rockström & Owen Gaffney

Post Growth: Life After Capitalism by Tim Jackson

To take meaningful steps to protect what you love from the worst damages of climate change, and to join the Guiness World Record attempt this month, check out the Count Us In Campaign, and decide if we can count you in!

Christiana, Johan and Tim have all been honoured as Hillary Laureates. Tap in to learn more about the work of the Hillary Institute.

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Thank you to our guests this week, Johan Rockström & Tim Jackson!

Johan Rockström

Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

Twitter

PIK

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Tim Jackson

Author, Director of Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP)

Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Website

CUSP

Twitter

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson!

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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106. Warren East of Rolls-Royce says Nature is the Best Engineer Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

This week, we take a look at the latest pledges to arise from the G7 heads of government, who met over the weekend in Cornwall. Are these announcements indicative that the seven biggest western economies are really showing up to achieve a 1.5 world? Can this close the Gigatons gap in the run up to COP26? Can the Group of Seven offer developing countries funding alternatives to Beijing’s so-called 'Belt and Road' Initiative? Christiana, Tom, and Paul help us sort out this mixed bag of a weekend for climate.

Our special guest this week is Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, an engineer by training and now leading a business in one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise: Aviation.

Aviation accounts for a significant 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions today, and growing. As the sector starts to recover from huge losses as a result of the pandemic, how does Rolls-Royce see the future for the sector and beyond the pandemic and into the climate crisis? We’ll hear from Warren on how the historic innovation of Rolls-Royce has the potential to lead us into a cleaner, more sustainable future of flight.

And stick around 'til the end because our music this week is from Asher Monroe! He’ll be performing live for us his single, ‘Midnight Masquerade’.

Thanks for joining us!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Attention Stubborn Optimists! Click this link to save your spot for our Breaking Boundaries LIVE Event happening this Monday, June 21st.

Watch Breaking Boundaries on Netflix!

Thank you to our guest this week, Warren East!

Warren East

Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce

Twitter | LinkedIn

Join Rolls-Royce’s newsletter to get updates on their world record attempt.

Our artist this week is Asher Monroe!

Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website

Clay recommends you check out his Youtube Channel

See his conversation with Sir Elton John on Apple Music about his upcoming album.

—

Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson!

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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105. Why Dale Vince is a Successful Serial Climate Entrepreneur Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

With the G7 Summit happening in just a few days, things are looking good for it being a big moment for climate. Foreign Ministers have noted the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable, Health Ministers have made the link between health and the environment, Finance Ministers have supported mandating climate related disclosures...the momentum is real. But we’ve been here before with the same words and no action, so what is different this time around?

Later on in the episode we speak with serial climate entrepreneur, Dale Vince. Dale is a tireless force of nature. So far he’s founded a successful Green Energy company, Ecotricity; he’s Chairman of Forest Green Rovers, the world’s first all vegan, carbon neutral football team; and his company Skydiamond makes precious gems from carbon capture. We hear what underlies Dale's motivation and how his determined, stubborn optimism has made his ventures successful in demonstrating what we can still do to solve challenges posed by the climate crisis. And...is there a possible future for him in politics?

And finally, we hear a stirring spoken word piece titled, “Air” by Mel Chanté.

Thanks for joining us!

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Watch Breaking Boundaries on Netflix. Do it!

Thank you to our guest this week, Dale Vince!

Dale Vince

Environmentalist and Businessman | Founder of Ecotricity | Chairman of Forest Green Rovers

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Ecotricity

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Forest Green Rovers

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Our artist this week is Mel Chanté!

Subscribe to her podcast, “The Daily Shine”

Check out her latest EP, “FLO”

—

Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Paul Dickinson!

LinkedIn | Twitter

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

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BONUS: Richard Curtis, Amina Mohammed, Mark Carney, Christiana Figueres and More On Making Your Pension Clean Up Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

This week, a bonus! Our own Christiana Figueres spoke at the Net Zero Pensions Summit, hosted by Richard Curtis, the famous filmmaker and co-founder of Make My Money Matter, an organization elevating the voices of citizens to demand that pension funds invest in line with the values of their members.

In this episode you’ll hear from:

Richard Curtis

Filmmaker | Co-Founder of Make My Money Matter

Alok Sharma MP

COP26 President Designate

Mary Robinson

Chair of The Elders | Former President of Ireland | Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Amina Mohammed

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations

Nigel Topping

High-Level Climate Action Champion for COP26

Mark Carney

UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance

This bonus episode gives you a flavour of the Net Zero Pensions Summit, and we hope it will propel you to take a step and logging it on CountUsIn.org.

Enjoy!

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As an individual, join the movement demanding Net Zero Pensions here: https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/net-zero/

If you can represent a business, be a Net Zero Hero and please sign the Green Pensions Charter here: https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/charter/

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

—

Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

104. Big Hits to Big Oil & Adam Gardner on a Music Climate Revolution Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, we talk about the absolute shake up of a week Big Oil had, and a Music Climate Revolution that starts TODAY.

First up, a shareholder vote to add three new members to the Exxon board succeeded as part of a strategy by activist hedge fund Engine No. 1 to address the twin concerns of climate change and Exxon’s poor financial performance. One of the new board members is our good friend, Andy Karsner! He joins us at the top of the episode for a quick update on what these seats at the table mean for the Oil and Gas industry moving forward, but especially for humanity and the climate.

Second, the unprecedented ruling by a Dutch Court which ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its carbon emissions by 45 percent from 2019 levels by 2030 happened. To give us an incredibly exciting executive summary is Lead Campaigner of the case against Shell, Friend of The Earth’s Nine de Pater.

And finally for our main interview, we are joined by Co-Founder and Co-Director of Reverb, Adam Gardner, who is also the vocalist and guitarist of the band, Guster.. From intention to action, he expresses the work that Reverb has been doing over the last 18 years to disrupt industry norms and increase the climate positive impact of the music touring industry. Acknowledging the unprecedented influence and reach that musicians have at their disposal, Adam, the newest stubborn optimist recruit, explains how environmentalism can be united with fans’ passion to drive positive change and achieve meaningful environmental, social justice and community gains.

And this week for music, we have the privilege of spinning the famous “Satellite” by Guster. Join us, won’t you?

—

Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

Subscribe to our Climate Action Newsletter: Signals Amidst The Noise

Watch the Trailer for Breaking Boundaries on YouTube

Watch Breaking Boundaries on Netflix

Thank you to our guest this week, Adam Gardner!

Adam Gardner

Co-Founder and Co-Director of Reverb | Vocalist and Guitarist for Guster

Reverb

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

A special thank you to Andy Karsner and Nine de Pater